Funding by state, answered plainly

Does Medicaid pay for supported homes in Florida?

How a supported-home bed is funded in Florida — with the official agency to verify.

Yes — in Florida, Medicaid pays the support services in a supported home through the iBudget Florida Waiver (Agency for Persons with Disabilities) and Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) for aging/disability (there is a significant iBudget waitlist). It generally does not pay room and board (the resident’s SSI usually covers that), and Medicare does not pay for a supported-home bed. Verify eligibility and the waitlist with FL APD.

The Florida waiver that pays

In Florida, the residential support services in a supported home are paid by the iBudget Florida Waiver (Agency for Persons with Disabilities) and Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) for aging/disability (there is a significant iBudget waitlist). Medicaid funds the services; the resident’s SSI pays the room and board. This two-stream model is how a bed gets funded — see Does Medicaid pay for supported homes?

Verify: FL APD — apd.myflorida.com. Full per-state reference: Medicaid waivers by state.

The waitlist, and how to get on it

Florida's iBudget list is needs-based across 7 priority categories (Category 1 = crisis) rather than first-come — a documented crisis can move someone up regardless of how long others have waited. Apply through your APD Regional Office; APD assigns a priority category after an assessment.

Source: Florida APD — Waitlist.

Where to start

Contact FL APD to request an eligibility assessment and apply for the waiver, or ask a care manager or hospital discharge planner to start it. For free options counseling, call your local ADRC via the Eldercare Locator, 800-677-1116. In a crisis, call or text 988.

Hear from us when a home opens near you

We build small, permanent supported homes where the need is greatest. Add your email and we’ll tell you the moment a home opens in your state. Free, no spam, no obligation. Case managers can also refer someone and track it with no login.

Notify me when a home opensRefer someone

Related

About Mai Heaven: this page is educational, not eligibility advice. We build small, permanent supported homes — also called group homes — for adults who are hard to place. Join the waiting list and we’ll reach out when a home opens near you. Need help now? Call or text 988, or dial 211.